In-Home Primary Care

a doctor and a patient at home

For some people over 65, it can be challenging to get to the doctor’s office for proper care. But missing out on medical appointments can increase your risk of going to the emergency room or being hospitalized. Johns Hopkins Medicine provides in-home primary care for people age 65 or older who have difficulty leaving home because of medical conditions or physical limitations.

Our experienced geriatricians, nurse practitioners and other health professionals provide compassionate care in the comfort of your home. To get started, call us at 410-288-6777, or apply for the program with our online application.

Who might benefit from in-home primary care?

With in-home primary care, also called home-based primary care, we bring health care to you. Our goal is to provide regular doctor or nurse practitioner visits ranging from once a month to every three months. We are also available to handle urgent medical needs as they come up.

Our home-based primary care services may be appropriate if you:

  • Cannot get to your primary care provider without large effort, either by you or a loved one
  • Need someone to come with you to your appointments or need special transportation
  • Use oxygen or assistive devices such as a cane or walker 
  • Have difficulty walking or shortness of breath with exertion
  • Have had multiple hospitalizations or emergency room visits over the past few years
  • Have difficulty with activities of daily living, such as bathing or moving around your home
  • Require multiple days to recover from trips outside the home
  • Have cognitive or behavioral impairment 

We treat and help people manage a wide range of chronic, complex conditions, including:

  • Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease, including heart failure and coronary artery disease
  • Movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Recovery after stroke
  • Bedsores and chronic wounds
  • Conditions requiring home ventilator support

How do I determine if I am eligible for in-home primary care?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you may be eligible for our services:

  1. Do you live in Anne Arundel, Baltimore or Howard County or Baltimore City?
  2. Are you 65 or older?*
  3. Do you have a chronic disease or physical limitation that prevents you from driving or leaving home without significant help?
  4. Is your health insurance Medicare A&B, United States Family Health Plan (USFHP) or Johns Hopkins Advantage MD?
  5. Do you or a caregiver have access to a phone for scheduling appointments?

*Age exceptions may be granted depending on home limited status.

When you contact us to register for care, we may ask additional questions to check your eligibility.

How to apply for the program:

Apply for the program today with our online application. You can also contact us at 410-288-6777.

In-Home Primary Care Services We Offer

If you qualify, you can receive our in-home primary care services for as long as you need them. Our services include:

  • Primary care to address your specific health needs
  • Regular visits during standard business hours
  • Urgent home visits as needed
  • Medical support by phone - 24 hours a day/seven days a week
  • Coordination for home medical equipment, including recommending, ordering and having equipment delivered to your home
  • Management of chronic health conditions
  • Medication review
  • In-home vaccinations and blood work
  • Referrals to community resources for patients and caregivers
  • Palliative care and end-of-life care
  • Telehealth visits by phone or video if needed

Why Choose Johns Hopkins Medicine for In-Home Primary Care?

We make it easy for you to get the care you need, when you need it. Highlights of our home-based primary care include:

Multidisciplinary team

You have access to a team of health care providers from several fields of medicine. We work together to develop care plans that address a wide range of physical, emotional and social health needs. We help families navigate some of the challenges of caring for their loved one with chronic medical conditions.

Urgent house calls

If you need urgent care, we send a provider to your home the same day you call us. With our urgent house calls, you receive the care you need without going to the hospital.

Palliative care services

For people adjusting to loss of independence and ability and in need for care toward the end of life, we provide compassionate health care. Caregivers feel supported and often relieved by having medical care for a loved one provided in the home.

Expertise in geriatric primary care

Our team includes geriatricians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and community health workers who have specialized training and experience in gerontology (care for older adults). We focus on primary care for people who have complex or multiple chronic conditions, and we personalize your care based on your goals and preferences.

In-Home Primary Care: What to Expect

You can become our patient with a provider’s referral, or you or a loved one can call us to get started. After we receive your referral, here’s what you can expect:

  1. Referral and intake call: When we receive your referral, we call you to make sure you qualify for in-home care. We then schedule your first in-home visit with a provider, usually within four to six weeks of your referral.
  2. Your first visit: Our provider conducts a thorough physical exam and asks you about your medical history, symptoms and other details to fully understand your health and your home environment. We take the time to understand what’s most important to you, and get to know you as a person.
  3. Ongoing visits: For your ongoing care, we create a personalized care plan based on your health needs. You should expect care similar to what you would have at your primary care doctor’s office, except we’ll be coming to your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Learn more about our program and how we can help you:

Call Us: 410-288-6777

Interpreter Services

If English is not your primary language or if you have partial or total hearing loss, our trained, qualified medical interpreters speak more than 230 languages, including sign language. Learn more about language services available through Johns Hopkins Medicine.